Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta researchers are using the power of native plants to turn manure-fouled water into something so clean it could perhaps be used to water crops or livestock. “We’re using plants to clean water of contaminants. In this case, we’re using them to clean contaminants that exist in feedlot holding ponds,” said principal investigator Daniel Karran, […] Read more
Small islands could deliver a big payoff in feedlot holding ponds
Native, riparian plants can filter out organic matter, nutrients and heavy metals
Feed weekly outlook: Tight logistics underpinning Prairie feed market
MarketsFarm – Canada’s barley crop may have improved considerably in 2022 compared to 2021’s drought-stricken crop, but the logistics of getting that grain to Alberta’s feedlot alley are keeping prices well supported. Canada grew 9.4 million tonnes of barley during the 2022 growing season, which was up by 35 per cent from the previous year. […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder cattle market experiences weather volatility
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded $3 to $4 on either side of side of unchanged while calves traded $5 lower to as much as $6 higher. The calf market tends to experience a seasonal bounce every November. In certain cases, buyers appeared to step forward more aggressively last week in anticipation […] Read more
Schoepp: Climate-focused diet misses the mark in targeting meat
Advocates of ‘climatarian’ diet need to look at entire picture when it comes to livestock
Reading Time: 3 minutes The ‘climatarian’ diet promotes the elimination of beef and lamb. The original movement is based on the premise that elimination of these ruminants reduces carbon emissions. Beef and lamb, the founders claim, leave the largest carbon footprint. Being climate conscious involves more than choosing one main point, such as carbon, and one culprit, such as […] Read more
Farmfair ramping up with full show and new events
The 48-year-old show isn’t just about beef cattle – it’s about fun and educating the public
Reading Time: 3 minutes After one pandemic cancellation and a scaled-down version last year, Farmfair International is back up to speed and has new events on tap, says the show’s director. “This year, after what we’ve come through with COVID, and Farmfair having taken a hiatus, (it) has provided us with an opportunity to add some new components to […] Read more
We should celebrate change and raise those low vaccination rates
Thoughts on how things are getting better, the joy of hydraulic chutes, and vaccination hesitancy
Reading Time: 3 minutes They say the only constant is change, and one only has to think back on how we used to do things to see the great changes that have happened in the cattle industry. Advancements in technology, vaccines, reproductive technologies, nutrition, handling, production genetics and animal welfare are abundant. I think most of these changes have […] Read more
Beef checkoff refunds rise again
Reading Time: < 1 minute The amount of checkoff money refunded by Alberta Beef Producers jumped again last year but this time, the increase was from payments to cow-calf producers. The organization refunded $3.24 million in 2021, up from $3.04 million the year before, according to the financial statements in ABP’s just-released annual report. Although feedlots account for the vast […] Read more
Klassen: Alberta feedlot backlog limits demand for feeder cattle
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices traded steady to $2 lower on average while calf markets were down $3 to $5. Feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan are backed up with significant numbers of market ready fed cattle which has set a negative tone for replacement cattle. Carcass weights are nearing historical highs. Barley […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise on robust beef, pork demand
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog and cattle futures rose on Friday, with strong consumer demand for pork and beef pushing prices higher, traders said. Live cattle received a boost from concerns about tight supplies. “The big thing on the cattle is that the beef market seasonally found some really good strength,” said […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle futures extend gains
Chicago hog futures weak
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade live cattle contracts rose on Thursday, touching a fresh seven-year high, with tight supplies boosting cash market prices and lending support to futures. Hog futures eased after rising in five of the previous six sessions, but losses were kept in check by signs of good consumer demand. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
